The Lehigh Inclusive Liberty Alliance (LILA) attended the “50501” nationwide day of protests in our Commonwealth’s capitol on 2/5/2025. Arriving early to scope out the area, I was pleasantly surprised to see the steps of the capitol quickly fill up with folks who are just plain tired of what has been happening lately. I met with Pennsylvanians of all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds, whose voices were clear: we oppose this administration and the various actions it has taken in furtherance of “Project 2025.”
I got to fill an extra special role that day as a “medic,” standing by to provide first aid to any protest-goer who would have become injured or ill. Luckily, my fellow medics and I did not need to utilize our skills. The protest was truly a peaceful demonstration of our First Amendment rights. Dozens upon dozens of cars honked in support of the protestors and their message. This was my very first protest and, going alone, I was a little nervous of what to expect. I was happy to see how well this event was organized, especially for a decentralized grassroots campaign.
After about 3 hours, I packed up my gear and headed home with a newfound energy. While the last several weeks have felt like years, I know that I am not alone. I know that we have so many people in Pennsylvania who want the best for their community. I look forward to participating in more protests in the future, hopefully with some new LILA members beside me!